Following years of training and performing, local ballet dancer Declan Daines will soon be thrust into the spotlight.
Since the age of six, the 15-year-old has been pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into a range of dance disciplines.
After honing his skills at the Helene Gowers Ballet School, he was accepted into one of Perth’s most respected institutions – John Curtin College of the Arts.
Discipline and kindness have seen him excel in the school’s Gifted and Talented Ballet program.
Shaking off the nerves, Declan auditioned for the Queensland Ballet Academy and the Australian Ballet School in early 2020.
He then powered through a series of intensive lessons over the COVID lockdown period, helping him to identify his strengths and weaknesses.
Declan breathed a heavy sigh of relief late last year, after being accepted into the Australian Ballet School for 2021.
A GoFundMe page, set up to raise funds for Declan’s journey, has already pooled together more than $1950.
“I love the sense of joy that comes with dancing for myself and for other people…I love to entertain,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to the level of training that I will be doing.
“I’m also looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.”
Mr and Mrs Daines believe their son has the work ethic and perseverance to make it into the Australian Ballet company in the near future.
